Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi said 564 people, including 11 plainclothes personnel of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police, were killed during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests, Express News reported on Saturday. announced that he had been arrested.
Speaking to the media at Islamabad’s D Chowk, Naqvi said there was an attempt to storm the capital under the leadership of KP Prime Minister Ali Amin Gandapur with the intention of causing casualties. Fortunately, no incidents occurred that would thwart their plans, he said.
He explained that plainclothes officers from the KP Police participated in the protest, marking the first time that police were being used in such a demonstration in Pakistan. He added that among those arrested were 11 KP police officers and 120 Afghan nationals.
The minister said that a KP police officer was arrested in D-Chowk and the Ministry of Home Affairs has started an investigation and a report will be submitted to the Prime Minister.
He said the protesters had aimed to hold a sit-in until the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, but authorities maintained strict restraint to control the situation. He noted that although some elements appeared intent on inciting violence, police and law enforcement agencies performed their duties effectively.
Naqvi warned that those involved in assaulting police, including KP CM and other individuals who issued orders for violence, could face legal repercussions. He promised action would be taken against those involved in the riots.
The minister further emphasized that the protesters used long-range tear gas and that the armed groups storming the capital included trained terrorists, adding that there would be no leniency for those attacking police. He said he did not show any attitude.
In a related statement, the Inspector General of Police, Punjab, noted that gunfire was aimed directly at the police. Nevertheless, he praised the efforts of the police to prevent unpleasant incidents. He asserted that the authorities will not tolerate any destruction of peace and will ensure that Pakistan remains secure and will remain so.
